President Bola Tinubu has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s Osun State governorship election is conducted peacefully and in a manner that reflects the wishes of the electorate.
Fifteen candidates are scheduled to participate in the election on August 15, 2026, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam among the major contenders.
Tinubu’s appeal was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President charged INEC to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters are allowed to exercise their franchise in a transparent, free and fair election.
“As the people of Osun State head to the polling units to elect who will govern them in the next four years, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure orderly conduct of the election.
“The election must be transparent, free and fair. I urge INEC to ensure the integrity of the process,” Tinubu said.
He described the election as an important opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its readiness for the 2027 general elections, being the last off-cycle governorship poll before the next nationwide elections.
“INEC must use this last off-cycle election as a test case to demonstrate to Nigerians their full preparedness for the 2027 polls,” he said.
The President also tasked the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies participating in the election with ensuring adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders.
According to him, security personnel must prevent individuals or groups from disrupting the voting process.
“I have charged the Inspector-General of Police and other heads of security outfits taking part in the election to provide maximum security at polling units. No room should be allowed for troublemakers to disrupt the process,” he said.
Tinubu further called for the protection of voters and election officials against intimidation, saying citizens must be able to participate in the democratic process without fear.
“Electoral officials and voters must be protected so they can perform their civic duties without fear or intimidation,” the President stated.
He urged eligible voters across the state to come out and vote for candidates of their choice, while advising them to avoid actions that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.
“Voters should feel confident to go out in their numbers to vote for the candidate of their choice as all measures necessary to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election have been put in place,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that the credibility of the Osun election would ultimately be measured by whether its outcome represented the choice of the electorate.
“Our elections must be credible, and the outcome of the Osun Governorship election must reflect the will of the people,” he declared.
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